NFL Premium Review: Week 13 MNF Doubleheader

1. Josh Allen has one of the highest MVP ceilings in the entire NFL 

As the Buffalo Bills continue flying under the radar in 2020 despite being the AFC East leaders, somehow the mainstream media and national conversation around this year’s list of contenders continues to gloss over this Buffalo team. Josh Allen has been the centerpiece of that success when he’s not making head-scratching decisions. Allen is like a speeding bullet when aimed at the right target as he’s almost impossible to stop, and this version of him was present against the 49ers. 

The future MVP candidate finished the day with almost 400 yards and four touchdowns as he made plenty of history (read above section in key facts). Even though Allen will most likely be overlooked in the MVP conversation this season, winning games in January and February will most likely have more meaning to him, which he can carry over into next season and beyond where his high level of play is sure to become more consistent and help him be a perennial MVP candidate if he can cut out the disastrous turnovers like he did in this game. 

2. PIT’s lack of a running game may ultimately be its downfall

The cracks began to show on the Pittsburgh Steelers after they fell to the Washington Football Team and finally lost a game. The team as a whole had several miscues, but perhaps the most glaring issue was a lack of a running game. PIT’s pathetic total of 21 RUSH YDS forced Big Ben to throw the ball 53 times and made play-calling for WAS’ defense much easier as PIT became more predictable. Now with Bud Dupree out for the year, the Steel City faithful must adapt and overcome or else its season could go south real quick. Pittsburgh may be good, but they aren’t good enough to win without a credible running game. 

3. Washington may have this years’ Comeback POY, Defensive ROY, AND Coach of the Year

Rarely is an NFL team able to produce more than one major seasonal award winner, let alone three. There could be a case made for three key members of the franchise to win awards: QB Alex Smith, EDGE Chase Young, and HC Ron Rivera. Smith, who underwent major leg surgery two years ago and wasn’t likely to ever step on a field again, has risen from this setback to put his team into position to potentially make the playoffs. 

Young has lived up to his pre-draft hype and came up big once again on Monday night when he stopped Benny Snell on a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Rivera has probably overcome more obstacles than any coach in the league this year; from dealing with a franchise name change to a QB carousel, battling cancer, and STILL somehow leading his team into a position to steal a playoff spot when they looked left for dead. Riverboat Ron has been nothing short of amazing this year and while a winning team like Cleveland or Miami could claim their HC the award, Rivera’s unexpected success shouldn’t go overlooked.